NEWSLETTER

OUR MISSION: To preserve the natural and cultural heritage of El Charco del Ingenio, and maintain a botanical garden dedicated to the conservation and study of regional flora and ecosystems, with a primary focus on environmental education.

Technology is the answer, but what was the question?
-Cedric Price
Price

IS SAN MIGUEL SUSTAINABLE? WATER AND ECOSYSTEMS ON THE VERGE

There is a growing concern among some in our local society about the viability of our World Heritage site in the coming years. Beyond the tourist invasion in the town of San Miguel, there are questions about the increasing and unprecedented pressure we are putting on our environment and our natural common goods, which are the lifeline of both urban and rural communities in San Miguel. Uncontrolled housing development and industrial activity together with the proliferation of predatory agricultural practices are quickly fragmenting and destroying natural ecosystems across our municipality, with the consequent biodiversity loss. But it is water, our essential common good, where the most serious impact is being produced, both in its supply and quality.

Facing this troubling scene, a substantial change is necessary and urgent. The “economic growth" pattern in which we are involved can only be successful and lasting if it's sustainable, if it’s based on conservation of its natural support. And with the actual public policies, that is simply not happening. A change is possible, indeed, but it will only happen when authorities, investors and decision makers feel compelled to do it by the proposals and demands from organized civic groups in our diverse community.
Are we ready to do it?

A talk and discussion about this subject, led by Cesar Arias, President of the Botanical Garden’s Board, will take place Sunday July 5th, at 10 am, at the UU meeting, Posada de la Aldea in Calle Ancha de San Antonio.

NEW TREE PLANTINGS IN THE PERIMETER OF EL CHARCO – YOUR SUPPORT REQUESTED

Taking advantage of the good rainy season this Summer, the Botanical Garden will soon carry out the planting of various species of native and regional trees on its boundaries with neighboring land. It is expected that these neighboring properties will inevitably be urbanized at some point, which will alter the landscape and create an environmental impact around the nature reserve. The scheduled planting can mitigate this effect. Trees also provide shade and environmental services, form a visual and auditory barrier that in the future can mediate the phenomenon of urbanization. About 30 trees of native species and regional pine and oak will be planted, among other species, of a size approximately three meters. We invite friends and members of the Botanical Garden to contribute economically to arrangements to enable this plantation. El Charco and the environment will thank you.

“EL NIÑO” SOUTHERN OSCILLATION

There have been recently published news in different newspapers about the emergence and persistence for the rest of the year of the climate phenomenon known as "El Nino Southern Oscillation", or ENSO. But what is this phenomenon?
El Niño is defined as a warm Ocean current that is part of a complex cycle linking atmosphere and Ocean. The phenomenon alters weather patterns worldwide and can make it a more wet Winter in the southern United States, or cause drought in northern Australia. Its appearance is very variable but cyclical, every two to seven years. Its last appearance came during the years 2009-2010.

The monitoring of this phenomenon is done through a system of marine buoys equipped with sensors to measure temperature, currents and winds. This information is added to other data collected by satellites and weather observation stations and intersect with complex computer models, designed specifically to predict El Niño. However, these models are not yet able to predict their intensity and duration (BBC, 2015).

The atypical rains that we have experienced throughout this year are partly due to the effects of this important climate phenomenon, which is expected to further intensify in the fall. We will have to take extra precautions and also try to take advantage of an exceptionally wet year in our semiarid region.
For more information about the monitoring of this phenomenon, you can consult the website of the International Center for Research on El Niño (CIIFEN): http://www.ciifen.org/

ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH OF JULY

FESTIVAL OF THE HOLY CROSS AT EL CHARCO

Saturday and Sunday July 11, 12

In 1991 the Charco was rescued not only as a natural area but also as a ritual space for communities of indigenous roots of San Miguel de Allende, around the image of the Holy Cross, which dates back to the wars of conquest of the XVI century and the founding of our city. Since then, every year there is a popular celebration in the protected area, with the participation of numerous indigenous communities in our town.

We invite you to participate in this festival and contribute in the rescue of popular culture and cultural exchanges in various activities to be undertaken in the Charco del Ingenio and Landeta Park. These include the lifting of the Súchil in the Plaza of the Four Winds, as well as walking the path of the Cross for the four cardinal points of the Botanical Garden, where the protective shrines are located. The tour concludes with the installation of the Cross on the grounds of Parque Landeta where the celebration continues throughout the day, with ritual dances, huapango music and other popular activities.

SUMMER CAMP 2015

Ages: 6 to 10 years
July 20 to August 7
Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm
Open from the second week of June inscriptions.
• Space is limited

This year the Summer Camp will include dynamic recreational activities framed in a program of conservation, biodiversity and environmental education. The topics are varied: biological conservation, cacti, arts, reptiles, birds, water culture, botanical drawing, cooking, temazcal and even more ...

HUIZACHE OPERATION IN EL CHARCO

Plant Conservation Workshop
Saturday, July 25 / 9am
Free admission

We invite all our readers to participate in the workshops program of management, pruning and cleaning of the native vegetation, which will be take place in El Charco from May and throughout several months. The workshops will be led by Vicente Yazbek, who is dedicated, from his ranch in San Miguel, to the rehabilitation of trees and other regional plants. This program is framed in a collaboration between the Botanical Garden and the Operation Huizache project in order to learn and practice effective techniques to deal with various pests that threaten the local vegetation.

Participation in the workshops requires only love of trees and energy.

Bird-watching Tours

Every first and third Wednesday of the month, 9 am – 11:30 am. English Cost: 100 pesos general public | 60 pesos El Charco members
Guides include Signe Hammer, Norman Besman, Luke Rich and Michael Wheatcroft.
The walks are for birders of all levels. They begin at 9:00 am and last about 2 1/2 hours. No reservations needed, and feel free to leave the walk at any time. Please bring binoculars, wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat, and bring water. Your guide will meet you after you pass through the Reception area of the Botanical Garden.

Come and bird watch with us – you’ll be surprised!!

TOURS IN SPANISH available. Saturday 10 & 24th, at 8a.m.

Info.:charcodelingeniocomunicacion@gmail.com

Guided Tours in El Charco

Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am| in English
Duration: two hours Cost: $80 pesos, members $50

Visit the Conservatory of Mexican Plants, the Scented Garden and the canyon, archeological ruins and much more. We recommend you wear sunscreen, and bring a hat.

Don’t forget the free transportation from town to El Charco on these days.

THE FULL MOON CEREMONY

Wednesday July 1 | 8p.m. | Plaza of 4 Winds | admission 30pesos

We invite everyone to this open celebration that has been taking place for many years during the full moon cycle at the Four Winds Plaza in the Botanical Garden under the always surprising direction of Alicia Mayo. It’s worth arriving a little early to admire the setting of the sun and the appearance of the moon over the mountains. You may want to bring a coat for cool evenings and you may bring a musical instrument.
Alicia Mayo : 152 .0376.

This sweat-lodge steam bath, of ritual and healing character, takes place under the direction of an experienced temazcal leader in the ruins of the hacienda located in the Botanical Garden on the far side of the reservoir.
The combination of heat, humidity and fragrant herbs provides a purifying experience for the body and spirit. Its benefits are multiple: it activates circulation, increases the body’s defenses, eliminates pains, decreases uric acid, relaxes the muscles, regulates the nervous system, stimulates respiration and is excellent for losing weight.

We suggest bringing a flashlight for when you go from the temazal to the reception

Our Wish List has been successful!

Here are some of the items we have received from the community during the past months:
For the cafeteria: a very good stove
❂ For the naturalists: a second wildlife camera (we now have four!)
❂ For the office: an Epson multi-task printer
❂ Four wheel drive pickup truck with a back seat
❂ 15 seat van for transporting people to and from el Charco
❂ For our custodians who keep a watchful eye on every corner of the reserve: two sets of good binoculars.

El Charco is still in need of many other items. If you have any of the items below or can donate the equivalent in pesos you will be helping to support a great, local cause.

We still need:
❂ One set of good binoculars
❂ For the gardeners: two professional weed cutters
❂ For the office: propane heaters
❂ For special visitors: a wheelchair
❂ For staff and special visitors: an electric golf cart
❂ For parent’s sake: a “cross” child stroller
❂ For communications department: semi-pro camera (Nikon D7100, Canon EOS Rebel T3)
❂ For the science center: telescope to observe birds
❂ If you want to make a lasting donation with a large impact: our greenhouse conservatory needs new covering and new sunshade

COMING TO EL CHARCO BY TAXI?

Some of visitors use taxis for transportation to the Botanical Garden. However, some may have doubts about how to return to town. We remind all our visitors and users that El Charco has an agreement with radio taxis company of San Miguel for safe transfer from El Charco to the center or other parts of the city. Just ask for a taxi at the reception Garden. The fee for the return trip is 60 pesos-a little more than one-way fare to Charco from the center, which should not be more than 40 pesos. We recommend you and the driver agree on the fare before boarding the taxi.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN

Throughout its existence, El Charco has published several books and pamphlets in Spanish and English, on flora and natural resources of the reserve and the region of San Miguel de Allende. To these, other publications by researchers and scientific institutions on related subjects have been added. All are issues of great interest and quality, and are on sale at the Gift Shop.